For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments, and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.  II Corinthians 10.3-5 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6.10-12 ESV

            Last week our newly minted governor pulled tap shoes from his carpet bag and danced a little two-step around the issue of Virginia’s ban on gay marriage. As governor he is bound to uphold the law of the commonwealth. Politically, however, he would like to see the ban overturned. Somehow he argued both sides and made the question of same-sex marriage about jobs for Virginians. Balanchine would have been impressed with his footwork.

            Oh well, what else would one expect from a politician? Our concern as citizens of Heaven should be what response to our times would best represent the values of Jesus? We are His disciples, thus our actions should reflect His teachings. 

            Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount simultaneously rejects certain Western values (Matthew 6.7, 32; see also Mark 10.42-45), and forbids any nastiness on our part towards persons in opposition to our beliefs (Matthew 5.43-48).

            In fact, as Paul makes clear in the verses cited above, persons are never the enemy, ideas are. So also is Satan, the source of the false notions that distort human understanding and pervert human behavior. Humans, even ones with terribly wrong opinions (especially ones with terribly wrong opinions) are to be prayed for and loved.

            Paul not only preached this but he lived it. Remember the sinful behaviors the Corinthians were involved in before they became Christians (I Corinthians 6.9-11). Included in this list are men who receive sexual advances from other men and the men who make those advances (v. 9). The list ends with the phrase, “and such were some of you,” (v.11). Paul evangelized gay men. How did Paul reach these gay men with the Gospel? Perhaps he made jokes at their expense. Perhaps he said nasty things about them and their activities. Perhaps he just acted disgusted. Maybe he marched with a sign somewhere. Perhaps he raged on a Facebook page, or tweeted clever insults. Maybe he watched cable news until his blood-pressure popped the sphygmomanometer.

            I think he established caring relationships and shared the word of God. Paul tells us that is his modus operandi when beginning a new work (I Thessalonians 2.1-12). Paul reminds us that good, godly strategy demands that we do not allow ourselves “to be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good,” (Romans 12.21). I think Paul had little concern about the state of the Roman Empire, and complete concern about the Kingdom of God.

            I think we should follow this Biblical example.

            Everyone knows that the difference between the good guys and the bad guys is that the good guys care about collateral damage. The bad guys don’t care who they hurt so long as they win. The terms of our warfare demand that we be the good guys.